Dr. Michael C. Latham, professor emeritus and graduate school professor of nutritional sciences at Cornell University, will be honored Dec. 13 with the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Public Health Association (APHA) in Philadelphia for "demonstrated sustained commitment to the promotion and development of primary health care and creativity in expanding concepts pertinent to the practice of public health with an international focus."

"The [awards] committee was impressed by your tireless work on international nutrition, particularly on the promotion of breastfeeding," wrote Dr. Kate Tukenko, chair of the awards committee.

Latham stepped down several years ago after 25 years as director of Cornell's Program in International Nutrition. An expert in international nutrition and tropical public health, he also is author of several books, including "Kilimanjaro Tales: The Saga of a Medical Family in Africa," "Human Nutrition in Tropical Africa" and "Human Nutrition in the Developing World," and more than 350 journal articles. He frequently serves as a consultant in Africa, Asia and Latin America for the World Health Organization, the United Nations, the World Bank and the White House. In 1994 he consulted Fidel Castro on how to curb Cuba's neuropathy epidemic.

APHA is the world's largest association of health professionals.